This article lists current and former operators of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21.
Current operators
Angola
Angolan Air Force (FAPA-DAA): 23 in service as of 2023. The first MiG-21 deliveries to Angola included 12 MiG-21MFs, delivered from the USSR starting in January 1976. They belonged to a unit entirely staffed by Cubans. In 1981-1982, 20 MiG-21PFM fighters were delivered second-hand from the USSR, as well as two MiG-21UM trainers. In 1983, 30 MiG-21bis were delivered, followed by another 32 in 1984. Two MiG-21R reconnaissance aircraft were also delivered during the same period. They have been reported as having been phased out of service by 2007, although Flight International claimed that 23 MiG-21s remained active in December 2021.
MiG-21s served with the following units: 9th Fighter Training Squadron 24th Air Instructional Regiment 25th Air Combat Fighter Regiment 11th Fighter Squadron 12th Fighter Squadron - replaced by MiG-23 in 1987 13th Fighter Squadron - replaced by MiG-23 in 1987
Little is known about the combat record of Angolan MiG-21s. On March 13, 1976, a pair of FAPA-DAA MiG-21MFs destroyed an Air Zaïre Fokker F27 on the ground at Lumbala Airport using S-24 rockets. Several Angolan MiG-21MFs are known to have been lost in air-to-air combat, all to the South African Air Force. The first one was shot down on November 6, 1981 by gunfire from a Mirage F1CZ flown by Johann Rankin. Another two MiG-21MFs were damaged on October 5, 1982, again by Mirage F1CZs. Although both of them returned safely to their base, they were subsequently written off.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan Air Force: 5 in service as of 2023. Around 12 received from Ukraine. Five were reportedly based at Kyurdamir and to be withdrawn following purchase of MiG-29s, but were still reported as being active in December 2021.
Croatia
Croatian Air Force (HRZ): 11 in service as of 2023. Three MiG-21bis were taken up following defections of Croatian pilots from the Yugoslav Air Force in 1992. These were supplemented by 23 more MiG-21bis, one MiG-21US and three MiG-21UM acquired from former Soviet training units in Kyrgyzstan in 1993–1994. Three of these were lost in combat. In 2003, eight MiG-21bis were upgraded to MiG-21bis-D standard by Aerostar in Romania, while four MiG-21UMs, obtained from Kyrgyzstan via Aerostar, were upgraded to MiG-21UMD standard. In 2013, three Croatian MiG-21bis-Ds and four Mig-21UMDs were sent to Odesa in Ukraine for overhaul, with five more aircraft supplied by Ukraine and upgraded to Mig-21bis-D standard. 11 MiG-21s remain in service as of 2023. The Croatian Air Force has ordered 12 second-hand Dassault Rafales to replace the MiG-21, with the replacement scheduled once the Rafales are delivered in 2024-25. In 2003, MiG-21s were found with the following units (ZB = Zrakoplovna Baza – Air Base; ELZ – Eskadrila Lovačkih Zrakoplova – Fighter Squadron): 91 ZB/21 ELZ (Zagreb-Pleso)
Cuba
Cuban Air Force: 11 in service as of 2023. 40 MiG-21F-13 and two MiG-21U were transferred to the Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR) in 1962. At least one squadron of MiG-21PF was delivered in 1964, and either 24 or 36 MiG-21PFM were received in 1966–1967. Twelve MiG-21R were delivered in 1968. Sixty MiG-21MF were delivered between 1972 and 1974; some of these were sent to Angola. Eighty MiG-21bis (. 75A) were received from 1981. Five MiG-21U (. 66-600) were delivered in 1966, and 20 MiG-21UM were delivered starting in 1968. According to Cuban sources, a total of 270 MiG-21s of all variants were received by DAAFAR. 11 MiG-21s are still operational.
In 1990, MiG-21s were known to be assigned to the following units: 1a Brigada de Guardia "Batalla de Sta Clara" 11o Regimiento de Caza (Santa Clara) 111o Escuadrone 112o Escuadrone 2a Brigada de Guardia "Playa Girón" 22o Regimiento de Caza (Baracoa) 221o Escuadrone 222o Escuadrone 3a Brigada de Guardia "Cuartel Moncada" 31o Regimiento de Caza (Camagüey) 311o Escuadrone 312o Escuadrone
Guinea
Air Force of Guinea: 3 in service as of 2023. 8 'MiG-21MF' and one 'MiG-21U' delivered in 1986. Five restored to airworthy condition in Russia and returned to service; one of these crashed into a TV tower in 2007. Three still in service as of December 2021.